Search - Jim Boggia :: Fidelity Is the Enemy

Extremely catchy and fun!

Kyle Curry | Chicago, IL. | 01/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During an interview with Jim Boggia for Fresh Tracks Music, Boggia promised to send me a copy of his debut album "Fidelity is the Enemy." I received the album and after one listen I was blown off my feet, had the air knocked out of me, and all kinds of other clichés that basically mean "whoa." There were a good couple of minutes where I was just in shock that I had had the opportunity to talk to someone with so much talent and then I was a bit angry that somehow this CD had alluded me for almost 3 years, but soon I resigned myself to just being content at the beautiful melodies. Unfortunately for the readers, ever song is SO good that they deserve a bit of mention each.The album starts off strong with the track "So Full" which was also included in a recent Awarestore EarSnacks compilation. Track two is also noteable as the most rockin' song on the album, and the funniest moment when Boggia sings a number of memorable tongue twisters (rubber baby buggy bumpers).Bubblegum 45s is the most fun song on the album, with an array of instruments including (but not limited to) the acoustic piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, tack piano, electric sitar, theremin, toy glockenspiel and sleigh bells. The song is about Boggia's childhood hobby of singing along to records trying to get the song exactly like the singers, having once thought that records were broadcasting bands playing live and getting the song the same every time.Several Thousand has the best romantic line of the album "that
double rainbow ain't got nothing on you" but is quickly followed up by the album's first sad bastard song, Black and Blue, which fits into one of my favorite song categories (songs that reference themselves as songs) and contains such poignant sentiments as "take my latest failure and be sure you write it down so you can pour it out like water on me when I start to drown." Ouch....my heart.But don't get too down, because the next song, O/P slaps some sense into pessimists of the world (you're crying about your half glass of milk before you've even spilled it/ I have a glass that's half-empty too/but I know life refills it).Nothing Wrong With Me has beautiful and unique instrumentation and a kind of Sondre Lerche vibe, Peter Pan is appropriately dreamlike in which Boggia "bounced a basketball, rang a bicycle bell, hit an Indian drum, slunk a slinky, shook shakeys," etc., for added effect.Weather steals the title of saddest song from Black and Blue, while That, For Me, Is You, steals the title of most touching. They are folksy and the most acoustic of the album.So that's the whole album (other than a couple of little hidden
treasures)...not one stinker in the bunch. I'm sure many similarities can be drawn between Boggia and brilliant classic and contemporary artists, but he has such a wide variety of styles and is so keen on experimentation it's not even worth mentioning, as he seems to change and redefine himself from track to track.Boggia has crafted an album that will inspire listeners to hit the repeat button and sing along passionately. His message is heartfelt and moving and his music is fresh and invigorating. In the albums liner notes he expresses the wish to work with the extremely talented producer/singer/songwriter/etc. Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Aimme Mann). I think Brion would be lucky to get to work with someone as brilliant as Boggia."

What the business doesnt know is going to kill them...

Mandy | Storrs, CT USA | 02/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What to say about Jim Boggia? I only get 1,000 words, and could write soooo much. If you don't know who Jim is, please...just do yourself a favor and listen to the record. It really is ahead of it's time, and even more so because his sound uses many elements from the 60's era of pop music (if that makes any sense at all). First of all, his songs are catchy, but in a different and interesting way. His music has so many layers that you can listen to the record over and over again and hear something new. He is a crafty musician and clever writer. His song lyrics are above and beyond anything that is on the radio right now; deep and profound lyrical masterpieces are next to bubblegum pop breakthroughs creating a wide range of emotions that keep the listener on the edge of their ears. Every song has something to say, and like Jim himself, they say it well, loud, and sometimes, tongue-in-cheek. "Fidelity is the Enemy" is a testiment to the music of yester-year, a time when music meant something and the musician had integrity. Too bad that the music industry today is too stupid to recognize it. Don't be the same."

Phenomenal and Phantastic

C. Lee | 07/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brilliant album. Incredibly great songs by an incredibly talented musician. If you like music, you'll love this album."